ATLANTIC ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED RESEARCH PROGRAM, (AAEDIRP)

Transcription

1 1 ATLANTIC ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED RESEARCH PROGRAM, (AAEDIRP) ATLANTIC POLICY CONGRESS OF FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS SECRETARIAT (APC) BUILDING CAPACITY BUILDING COMMUNITIES 19 TH ANNUAL CANDO CONFERENCE MEMBERTOU FIRST NATION, OCTOBER 22-26, 2012 Secretariat (APC) ww.apcfnc.ca

2 AAEDIRP The AAEDIRP is a unique research program on Aboriginal economic development formed through partnerships among the 38 member communities of the, plus the Inuit and 12 Atlantic universities. The main purpose of the AAEDIRP is to improve the knowledge base concerning Atlantic Aboriginal economic development in order to improve the lives of the Aboriginal people in the region. Secretariat (APC)

3 AAEDIRP OBJECTIVES 1. Conduct Research on Aboriginal Economic Development 2. ASK-ECDEV Database of Internet Resources 3. To Build Aboriginal and non-aboriginal Research Capacity 4. To Hold Workshops on Aboriginal Economic Development Secretariat (APC)

4 Atlantic University Partners 1. Dalhousie University 2. Cape Breton University 3. University of New Brunswick 4. Memorial University 5. St. Thomas University 6. St. Francis Xavier University 7. Mount Allison University 8. Acadia University 9. Saint Mary s University 10. University of PEI 11. Mount Saint Vincent University 12. Université de Moncton Secretariat (APC)

5 Research Projects SECTOR FOCUSED RESEARCH 1. Critical Success Factors in the First Nations Fishery of Atlantic Canada: Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Perceptions 2. More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in the Atlantic Region 3. More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick - Summary Guide (2011/12) 4. A Scan of Key Knowledge Holders, Resources and Activities in Atlantic Region Post-Secondary Institutions that can Support Capacity Building in the First Nations Fisheries 5

6 Research Projects 6 EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION 5. A Study of the Atlantic Aboriginal Post- Secondary Labour Force 6. Assessing the Effectiveness of Labour Force Participation Strategies BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 7. Examining Business Partnerships Arrangements between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Businesses

7 Research Projects ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES 8. Best Practices and Challenges in Mi kmaq and Maliseet Language Immersion Programs 9. APCFNC Elders Project: Honouring Traditional Knowledge DEFINING AND MEASURING ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS 10. Baseline Data for Aboriginal Economic Development: An Informed Approach for Measuring Progress and Success 11. The Social Impacts of Economic Development (Tobique, Millbrook & Miawpukek) 7

8 Research Projects in Progress 8 1. Atlantic Aboriginal Community Level Data Gathering Project 2. Managing our Lands beyond the Indian Act : Membertou First Nation 3. The Economic Costs of Mental Health Issues and Addictions on Atlantic Aboriginal Communities

9 Building Capacity/Building Communities 9 Much needed baseline data and literature on Aboriginal economic development is being brought together to provide evidence to support decision making on economic development for Atlantic region leadership and communities as well as provincial and federal governments University partnerships raise awareness of what is needed for Aboriginal students to succeed in postsecondary institutions including First Nation curriculum and Elders-in-Residence programs

10 Outcomes of Building Research Capacity ( ) 3 Aboriginal staff members were employed; 10 2 Aboriginal lead researchers, 7 Aboriginal coresearchers and 19 Aboriginal research assistants and 4 Database researchers were contracted; 31 Aboriginal people supported the research projects as Advisory Committee Members in their capacity as the leaders of the key Atlantic region Aboriginal organizations as well as the Membertou Governance Committee composed of 15 members

11 Research Skills Developed Researchers develop their understanding of the project topics Writing, transcribing; interviewing; literature searches and synthesis; proposal writing, university and community-based ethics applications ; Problem solving; critical analysis; data analyses; budgeting, verbal communication, listening skills for participation in group discussions and consensus decision making; facilitation; final report writing; and presenting. 11

12 Research Methodologies for Reciprocal Partnerships 12 Non-Aboriginal researchers are supported as they cultivate relationships with Aboriginal researchers and communities. Learning about community-based, participatory research and Indigenous research methodologies. Ensures shared power and decision-making. Culturally sensitive, relevant, respectful, responsive, equitable and reciprocal research

13 Indigenous Methodologies Non-Aboriginal researchers gaining exposure to Indigenous methodologies through the teachings of Elders Two eyed seeing is learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of Western knowledges and ways of knowing... and learning to use both these eyes together, for the benefit of all. Co-learning, is a process that recognizes Indigenous and Western perspectives as equally significant paradigms. 13